Hundreds ready to run for the Sarah Strong Foundation

Want to run in the Sarah Strong 5K? Here’s more information.

Angelle Barbazon

Posted on March 5, 2014 at 8:01 p.m.

ELKHART — Downtown Elkhart will be seeing purple this weekend.

Close to 600 people have signed up for a 5K race Saturday, March 8, to support the Sarah Strong Foundation, a nonprofit organization started by the family of a local teen who died in December after a battle with stage four colon cancer.

The fundraiser is in memory of Sarah Crane, a 15-year-old Elkhart Memorial student whose story captured the hearts of thousands of people across the country. Many of the participants in Saturday’s race will be wearing Sarah’s favorite color, purple.

“We’re hearing from a lot of people who knew Sarah, and we’re hearing a lot of people who didn’t know her,” said Mark Davidhizar, the event’s co-organizer. “We’re hearing from runners and those who aren’t runners. People are coming from all over northern Indiana to support this family.”

Runners can register for $30 and pick up race packets from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Elkhart Memorial High School, 2608 California Road. Registration and packet pickup will also be available from 7 to 8 a.m. the morning of the race at Elkhart Civic Plaza on Main Street. The race will start at 9 a.m. on Waterfall Drive between Franklin and High streets.

Davidhizar has some simple advice for anyone planning to participate in this weekend’s race.

“Dress warm,” he said. “It sounds like it’s going to be a cold morning.”

Awards will be given to the top three runners in each age group as well as the top three runners overall.

A limited number of purple Sarahstrong hoodies, long sleeve shirts and T-shirts will be on sale at the race. Volunteers will also take orders for shirts.